my imagination, or new oil makes that much of a difference?

[tortus]

Just wait until you get the fairing buzz

Did you at least get your helmet tethers?

Yup, got the helmet tethers. And I've already experienced the buzzing. So far it doesn't bother me. And I'm pretty sure my bike doesn't' qualify for the recall which is pretty dumb. I'll have to see how that plays out.

[Ninja Geoff]

Just wait until you get the fairing buzz

Did you at least get your helmet tethers?

Yup, got the helmet tethers. And I've already experienced the buzzing. So far it doesn't bother me. And I'm pretty sure my bike doesn't' qualify for the recall which is pretty dumb. I'll have to see how that plays out.

It's a really simple fix IIRC. I never cared enough to do it myself (the jardine pipe kinda over powers it ) but it's basically bending some bracket back that isnt used or putting foam tape on it.

check this thread out for the fix: http://www.ninja650.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1580

Oh, and if you shoot me a PM with your email adress, i can send you the factory service manual in PDF format.

And if it makes it any easier, the amount of oil you need to use is printed near the level window, and if you use carboard like a half-a-funnel under the filter, you can keep the exahaust manifold clean of oil. Also, if you didn't have to take the lowers off to drain the oil (I've forgotten), be careful with the clips on the very bottom. And they lower itself can be a royal pain in the "O Ring" to take apart and put on, just be careful and patient and don't be afraid to step away for a break. I wanted to take a hammer to the plastics and go naked by the end of it all

[tortus]

Getting the fairing off wasn't as bad as I was expecting. We got it totally off except for that one lip between the top and bottom pieces, then had to refer back to the instructions (someone made up a nice pdf of the whole process, I found it somewhere on ninja650.com) and finally got it off, then from there it was totally cake to change the oil.

I do wish they could have designed it so the fairing doesn't have to come off at all, but that's pretty greedy I guess

[tim conroy]

Changing the oil and filter are the single most important thing to help all engines last and run longer.I have an 83 gs 650 L and i change the oil every 1500 miles and the filter every 3000 miles.I have 28500 on it now and it runs like brand new still.

[KenCobra03]

When you break in a new engine, break it in harder rather than
easier.You want to change the oil soon so you dump out all the
little metal shavings. Change the filter with the oil, every time.